CN106252110A

CN106252110A - The keyboard mechanism of electronic equipment

Info

Publication number: CN106252110A
Application number: CN201610668328.XA
Authority: CN
Inventors: C·C·利翁; J·J·牛; K·J·汉德恩; J·布洛克; T·维尔森; B·帕顿; O·S·勒格
Original assignee: Apple Computer Inc
Current assignee: Apple Inc
Priority date: 2011-12-21
Filing date: 2012-12-19
Publication date: 2016-12-21
Anticipated expiration: 2032-12-19
Also published as: CN104272412B; CN106252110B; TWI549150B; CN103959416A; KR20140098108A; US20130161172A1; CN104272412A; JP5980345B2; TW201342414A; US9779888B2; WO2013096478A2; US9093229B2; AU2012358960B2; WO2013096478A3; EP2758975A2; EP2751825A1; US8981243B2; TW201334006A; US20130162450A1; US20130161171A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to the keyboard mechanism of electronic equipment.More specifically, disclosing a kind of input equipment being configured to and communicating with calculating equipment, described input equipment includes at least one keycap；Supporting mechanism, described supporting mechanism is operably connected to described keycap and is configured to make described keycap move to the second position from primary importance；And feature board, described feature board is operably connected to described supporting mechanism.Described supporting mechanism includes the first support member and the second support member.Described first support member and described second support member are connected respectively at least one keycap described and described feature board.Described first support member and the second support member pivot to allow vertically moving of described keycap, but limit described first support member and the shifted laterally of the second support member.

Description

The keyboard mechanism of electronic equipment

The application be filing date December in 2012 19 days, invention entitled " keyboard mechanism of electronic equipment " China specially The divisional application of profit application 201280059009.9.

Technical field

Present invention relates generally to electronic equipment, more particularly, relate to the input equipment of electronic equipment.

Background technology

Computer and other electronic equipments generally include one or more input equipment, such as mouse, keyboard, stick etc. Deng, in order to user can more easily with discussion equipment interact.Generally, these input equipments can be with the electronics being associated Integration of equipments is to together or be integrated in the electronic equipment being associated.Such as, laptop computer can include keyboard, and this keyboard can It is operatively coupled to the built-in system of laptop computer and is contained in its shell.Similarly, laptop computer also can wrap Including Trackpad or other based drive input equipments, described Trackpad or other based drive input equipments also can be with shell It is integrated together.

In some cases it may be beneficial to reduce the size of some computers or other electronic equipments.Such as, intelligence Phone and laptop computer are designed to the least and the lightest.But, many input equipments can consume the calculating that is associated A large amount of inner spaces of equipment.Such as, many conventional keypad have mechanical scissor mechanism and other mechanical layers, described machinery scissors Mechanism makes the distance that each key vertical translation is predetermined, other mechanical layers described be collectively forming key stepped construction (key stack).Cause This, the scope that vertically travels of key and the thickness of key stepped construction or height can the height of limiting device shell.

Summary of the invention

The input equipment being configured to communicate with calculating equipment includes at least one keycap；Supporting mechanism, it can be grasped It is connected to keycap and is configured to make keycap move to the second position from primary importance with making；And feature board, it is operationally It is connected to supporting mechanism.Supporting mechanism includes the first support member and the second support member.First support member and the second support member are each It is connected at least one keycap and feature board.First support member and the second support member pivot to allow vertically moving of keycap, but The shifted laterally of the first support member and the second support member is limited.

In various being embodied as, the first support member and the second support member can be made up of rigid material.Rigid material is comparable Plastics have a higher rigidity, and can by the plastics of glass-filled, the plastics of metal coating, casting metal, metal injection molded material, Metal, machined metal or other this type of materials are constituted.Second support member can be nested in the first support member.

First support member and the second support member can be connected together to form pivotal point.In some are embodied as, first Support member and the second support member can be connected by locking component.Locking component can stop the first support member and the second support member relative In shifted laterally each other but can allow to vertically move.In other are embodied as, the first support member and the second support member can be respective Including junction surface, and can be by connection joining part and serve as the knuckle of pivotal point and link together.Additionally it is embodied as at other In, first and the second support member can be connected by bearing pin, to provide at least one bearing pin junction surface.

In some are embodied as, the first support member and the second support member can be open loop.In other are embodied as, first Support member and the second support member can be rectangular configuration.In various being embodied as, the first support member can include having non-circular horizontal stroke Cross section and the supporting member of circular cross member, described supporting member is rotationally attached to one or more grapplings of feature board Component.Second support member can include having non-circular cross sections and the supporting member of circular cross member, and described supporting member can It is rotatably connected to the one or more fixed character extended bottom keycap.In various other are embodied as, first supports Part can include the first engagement member that the first support member is connected to feature board so that the first support member is operable to around One axis rather than rotate around the second axis and the 3rd axis.Second support member can include the second support member is connected to keycap The second engagement member so that the second support member is operable to around first axle rather than around the second axis and the 3rd axle Line rotates.

Accompanying drawing explanation

Fig. 1 is the perspective view calculating equipment including keyboard.

Fig. 2 A is the perspective view of the part calculating equipment of the key including keyboard.

Fig. 2 B is the top plan view of key in Fig. 2 A.

Fig. 3 is the viewgraph of cross-section of the key that the line 303 along Fig. 2 A intercepts.

Fig. 4 A is the top plan view of the key of the first embodiment with supporting mechanism.

Fig. 4 B is the top plan view of the key of Fig. 4 A, and wherein keycap is removed to illustrate some feature.

Fig. 5 is the viewgraph of cross-section of the key that the line 5-5 along Fig. 4 A intercepts.

Fig. 6 A is the perspective view of the key being in rotine positioning or resting position.

Fig. 6 B is the perspective view being in key depressed position.

Fig. 7 A is the top plan view of the key of second embodiment with supporting mechanism.

Fig. 7 B is the top plan view of the key of Fig. 7 A, and wherein keycap is removed to illustrate some feature.

Fig. 7 C is the partial view of the first side member of supporting mechanism.

Fig. 8 is the viewgraph of cross-section of the key that the line 8-8 line along Fig. 7 A intercepts.

Fig. 9 A is the top plan view of the key of the 3rd embodiment with supporting mechanism.

Fig. 9 B is the top plan view of the key of Fig. 9 A, and wherein keycap is removed to illustrate some feature.

Figure 10 A is the top plan view of the key of the 3rd embodiment with supporting mechanism.

Figure 10 B is the top plan view of the key of Figure 10 A, and wherein keycap is removed to illustrate some feature.

Figure 11 is the viewgraph of cross-section of the key that the line 11-11 along Figure 10 A intercepts.

Figure 12 A is the top plan view of the key with illumination panel and feature board.

Figure 12 B is the top plan view of the key of Figure 12 A, and wherein keycap is removed to illustrate some feature.

Figure 12 C is the top plan view of the key of Figure 12 A, and wherein keycap and supporting mechanism are removed to illustrate some feature.

Figure 13 is the viewgraph of cross-section of the key that the line 13-13 along Figure 12 A intercepts.

Figure 14 is that a line has the illumination panel of three keys and the perspective view of feature board.

Figure 15 A is the viewgraph of cross-section of the first embodiment of the key of Figure 12 A, the most for clarity sake and by hidden for some feature Hide.

Figure 15 B is the viewgraph of cross-section of the second embodiment of the key of Figure 12 A, the most for clarity sake and by hidden for some feature Hide.

Figure 15 C is the viewgraph of cross-section of the 3rd embodiment of the key of Figure 12 A, the most for clarity sake and by hidden for some feature Hide.

Figure 16 A is the perspective view of the key with framework, and this framework at least partly surrounds illumination panel.

Figure 16 B is the top plan view of the key of Figure 16 A.

Figure 16 C is the top plan view of the key of Figure 16 A, and wherein keycap is removed to illustrate some feature.

Figure 17 is the viewgraph of cross-section of the key that the line 17-17 along Figure 16 B intercepts.

Figure 18 is the top plan view of framework, and wherein illumination panel is removed from key.

Figure 19 is the viewgraph of cross-section of key of the sensing mechanism having and being combined with lighting mechanism, the most for clarity sake and incite somebody to action Some feature is hidden.

Figure 20 A is the top plan view of the key of second embodiment with sensing mechanism.

Figure 20 B is the top plan view of the key of Figure 20 A, and wherein keycap is hidden to illustrate some feature.

Figure 21 is the viewgraph of cross-section of the key that the line 21-21 along Figure 20 A intercepts.

Figure 22 is the viewgraph of cross-section of the key showing adhesive phase, the most for clarity sake some feature is hidden.

Detailed description of the invention

Summary

Embodiments more described herein can use the form of the keyboard of electronic equipment or the equipment of calculating；The two art Language generally can exchange use.Keyboard can provide the user of calculating equipment to input, and can include representing calculating equipment Different keys, button or the switch of different inputs.Such as, each key can include legend or symbol, such as alphanumeric symbol and/ Or word；Corresponding input can be started in calculating equipment when pressing key.Keyboard can communicate with calculating equipment, and can be with Calculate integration of equipments to together or calculating equipment outside.In one embodiment, keyboard can be operably connected to meter The shell of calculation equipment.

Each key of keyboard can be made up of key stepped construction, this stepped construction can include feature board or anchor plate, photoconduction or Illumination panel, sensor film, top layer, supporting mechanism, haptic apparatus and keycap.Feature board can support key, and in some feelings Under condition, it is possible to be operably connected to the shell of calculating equipment.Keycap can rest upon on the top of supporting mechanism, this supporting mechanism Keycap is supported on the top of feature board, and allows keycap to vertically travel relative to feature board.When providing input to keycap, Haptic apparatus can provide a user with feedback.Such as, haptic apparatus can be the compressible dome providing the user sense of touch on key. Illumination panel can be key and/or keyboard offer illumination.Sensor film can provide input to the calculating equipment pressing key.

In certain embodiments, the key of keyboard can have relative to calculate device housings vertically travel motion.Work as user When providing downward power on keycap, keycap can be travel downwardly while being supported by supporting mechanism.In one embodiment, prop up Support mechanism can be the one or more support members interconnected.In certain embodiments, the support member of supporting mechanism can Being formed by rigid material, during substantially to prevent from applying downward power on the subregion of keycap or whole region, keycap occurs curved Song or inclination.In these embodiments, support member can allow keycap vertically to move while maintaining substantially parallel to feature board Dynamic.In these embodiments, supporting mechanism can have some lateral movements of the vertical movement being converted into keycap.Such as, one In individual embodiment, the first support member of supporting mechanism can slide relative to the second support member, therefore when keycap vertically travels, Support mechanism is advanced simultaneously in the lateral and vertical directions.

The lateral movement of support member or scissor mechanism can allow keyboard to have the thickness less compared to conventional keypad.This is Because if pressing keycap at edge or corner, the scissor mechanism of conventional keypad is generally by a certain degree of torsion.Therefore, If user presses the turning of keycap, then this turning is travel downwardly more than other parts (such as relative to turning) of keycap Many.This torsion or curvature movement may need the travel distance of the increase between keycap and feature board, to prevent turning at record Touch the bottom and bounce back up before input.Owing to presently disclosed supporting mechanism can be reduced or eliminated bending, and some vertical forces are converted For the lateral movement of supporting mechanism, therefore can shorten travel distance, thus allow to reduce the thickness of keyboard.

Other embodiments of keyboard can include illumination panel (such as, photoconduction) and/or the lighting mechanism of keyboard.A reality Executing in example, illumination panel can be optically coupled to light source and be positioned at the top of function (or grappling) plate.At typical illuminated keyboard In, feature board is positioned at the top of lighting mechanism, with when pressing particular key preferably for key provide key be mechanically connected and more Sense well.

Feature board can include the electrical connections of key, such as when pressing key for recording the switch of input.But, often In rule keyboard, feature board can stop the major part of the light originally illuminating one or more keycap.Therefore, as in some of the disclosure In embodiment, illumination panel can be positioned on the top of feature board or is integrated together with feature board, in order to light can have towards The more directapath of illumination desired zone (such as, the rear surface of keycap).Therefore, less light is only needed can to provide equal amount Illumination, this can be keyboard provide power conservation.Additionally, illumination panel and/or light source can be more effective, because greater proportion Light can directly be pointed into target surface, advances without cut-through or reboots.

The most in other embodiments, for the sensing member of sensing when keyboard may be included in user's selection or presses key. Sensing member can be without Mechanical Driven, in order to detection user's input.Such as, sensing member can be configured to detect the change of electric capacity Change.In one embodiment, during capacitive sensor layer can be positioned on key stepped construction, in order to when user presses or touches keycap Detect.In these embodiments, keyboard can detect any one of following item or whole: keycap is close to feature Plate；It is applied to the change of the pressure of keycap；And finger position on each keycap or existence.

Detailed description of the invention

Forwarding accompanying drawing as briefly mentioned above to, keyboard can be combined with the equipment of calculating.Fig. 1 is incorporated into keyboard therein for having The perspective view calculating equipment 100 of 102.Calculating equipment 100 can be substantially any kind of calculating equipment 100, the most above-knee Type computer, desk computer, smart mobile phone, portable game device etc..Although it is additionally noted that keyboard 102 exists Fig. 1 is shown as integrate with calculating equipment 100, but in other embodiments, keyboard 102 can be with calculating equipment 100 Separate.Such as, keyboard 102 can be separate unit and the most self-contained.In these embodiments, keyboard 102 can include Communication equipment (such as, cable, wave point), for transmitting data to calculating equipment 100 and receiving from it data.

In certain embodiments, calculating equipment 100 may also include the shell 104 essentially around keyboard 102.Can at keyboard In the embodiment physically separated with calculating equipment, shell 102 at least partially surrounding keyboard 102, and can operationally can connect Receive keyboard 10,2, carry out more detail discussion below in connection with Figure 22.In certain embodiments, shell 104 can limit many Individual hole, each hole can accommodate one or more keys 106 of keyboard 102.But, in other embodiments, shell 104 can limit list Only hole or less than the hole of bond number, in order to whole keyboard 102 can be accommodated from separate openings and maybe can be accommodated in groups by groups of hole Key.

Keyboard 102 can include the key 106 of multiple different size and/or shape.Additionally, each in key 106 is at keycap Top surface on can include symbol or designator.Such as, the symbol (not shown) of each key 106 can be spraying, etching or Illuminated through hole or transparent part by keycap 106.Each in key 106 can represent one or more different input, and And when user presses each key 106, key 106 can provide the input of calculating equipment 100.Such as, key 106 can include sensor To detect when it is pressed, and this sensor sense can be transmitted indication key 106 to the processor in calculating equipment 100 and be pressed Or the most selected signal.In other embodiments, when pressing key, it is the most selected that it can form this key of instruction On-off circuit.

Will be discussed in now the key 106 of keyboard 102.Fig. 2 A is to remove from keyboard 102 and calculating equipment 100 The perspective view of key 106.Fig. 2 B is the top plan view of key 106.Fig. 3 is the cross section of the key 106 that the line 3-3 along Fig. 2 A intercepts View.As outlined above, shell 104 can limit the keyhole 128 that key 106 is positioned in.Shell 104 also can be around Key 106, but as it is shown on figure 3, keyhole 128 may be slightly larger than key 106, in order to key 106 can vertically move in keyhole 128.? In some embodiments, key 106 can have static or rotine positioning, outside wherein keycap 108 can be positioned as being flush to or being slightly above The top surface 132 of shell 104.When user presses key 106, key 106 can be pressed relative to the top surface 132 of shell 104 as shown in Figure 3 The direction pan-down of arrow D.

Seeing Fig. 3, key 106 can include the keycap 108 supported by supporting mechanism 110.Supporting mechanism 110 is by keycap 108 Support is above pedestal 134, and wherein haptic apparatus 116 is positioned in the cavity limited by supporting mechanism 110 below keycap 108. In conjunction with Fig. 4 A-12, supporting mechanism 110 or scissor mechanism will be carried out more detail discussion.In short, supporting mechanism 110 can include All can be operably connected to the first support member 112 and the second support member 114 of pedestal 134.Downward in response on keycap Power, support member 112,114 coordinate so that keycap 108 vertically translates in keyhole 128.In certain embodiments, machine is supported Structure 110 can be operably connected to the basal surface of keycap 108, in order to when keycap 108 is applied power, and described power can pass equally It is delivered to supporting mechanism 110.Additionally, supporting mechanism 110 can be by anchoring to another anchor of pedestal 134 by supporting mechanism 110 Determine component 136 and be attached to pedestal 134.Therefore, the first support member and the second support member 112,114 can be moved vertically, and can base Stop or limit lateral motion the most to a certain extent in basis.

Haptic apparatus 116 can be substantially can to touch in response to user and/or apply power to key 106 to provide a user with Any kind of equipment of feedback.In one embodiment, haptic apparatus 116 is compressible dome, and it can be bonding or with it His mode is connected on one or more layers of pedestal 134.Such as, when user provides downward power on keycap 116, dome Can be mechanically compressed, thus provide a user with feedback.In one embodiment, haptic apparatus 116 is operably connected to sensing Device film layer 122.In these embodiments, haptic apparatus 116 may also function as providing indication key 106 the most selected to sensor film 122 The effect of the input selected.Such as, circuit in haptic apparatus 116 can form sensor film 122 and/or illumination panel 120 or open Close.Or, as combine Figure 21 and discuss in more detail, haptic apparatus 116 can become with the position of tactile detectable equipment 116 The sensing member communication changed.

Pedestal 134 can be operably connected to shell 104 by securing member 126 and/or binding agent 124 (will below More detail discussion is carried out) in conjunction with Figure 22.In certain embodiments, it is operably connected to pedestal 134 (by propping up when key 106 Support mechanism 110 and/or haptic apparatus 116) time, key 106 can be operably connected to shell 104 by pedestal 134.Pedestal 134 can Including feature board 118, illumination panel 120 and/or sensor film 122.Each element of pedestal 13 can be connected to each other or independent Be connected to other elements of keyboard 102.Additionally, in certain embodiments, one or more layers can with the one of pedestal 134 or Other layers multiple combine.Such as, as shown in figure 13, illumination panel 120 can be combined with feature board 118, to reduce pedestal 134 and key The height of disc layer stack structure 130.

Feature board 118 can form the bottom of key stepped construction 130, and can operationally and/or can be communicated by key 106 Be connected to calculating equipment 100.Such as, feature board 118 can include the contact (not shown) for transmitting telecommunication number.Additionally, it is special Levy plate 118 and may also comprise the anchor member 136 being secured in place by supporting mechanism 110.Such as, anchor member 136 can be consolidated In fixed one or both in support member 112,114.

Illumination panel 120 can be that other parts of key 106 and/or keyboard 102 provide illumination, below in connection with Figure 14 A- 20 carry out more detail discussion.In certain embodiments, illumination panel 120 can be positioned on top and the sensor of feature board 118 The lower section of film 122.In other words, illumination panel 120 can form the intermediate layer of pedestal 134.It addition, in certain embodiments, shine Bright panel 120 can be further combined with one or more sensors, to form sensor layer in pedestal 134.In these embodiments In, sensor film 122 can form the top layer of sensor in illumination panel 120.The most in other embodiments, illumination can be omitted Panel 120 and sensor layer (be combined with sensor film 122 or separate from it) can be included.

Sensor film 122 can form the top layer of pedestal 134.In certain embodiments, sensor film 122 can be at illumination panel Between sensor in 120 formed protective layer (if or need not illumination, then form intermediate layer).It addition, in some embodiments In, sensor film 122 can include the one or more sensors that the most have selected key 106 for detecting user.Now will more Each element of keyboard discussed in detail.

Supporting mechanism

Will be discussed in now supporting mechanism 110.Fig. 4 A is the top plan view of key 106, and it includes from shell The first embodiment of the supporting mechanism 110 that 104 remove.Fig. 4 B is the top plan view of key 106, the most for clarity sake, by key Cap 108 and haptic apparatus 116 remove.Fig. 5 is the viewgraph of cross-section of the key 106 of Fig. 4 A.Supporting mechanism 210 in this embodiment can Including the first support member 212 and the second support member 214.Support member 212,214 can be operably connected by anchor member 136 To feature board 118.Anchor member 136 can extend across in illumination panel 120 formed hole 138, with support member 212,214 In each interact, thus be fixed to feature board 118.Support member 212,214 also can be operably connected to key Cap 108.

In certain embodiments, each in support member 212,214 can be made up of generally rigid material, such as but does not limits Plastics, the plastics of metal coating, casting metal, metal injection molded material or machined metal in glass-filled.Implement at these In example, supporting construction 210 substantially generally can make conventional scissors mechanism made of plastic harder by ratio.Due to supporting construction 210 is harder than conventional scissors mechanism, therefore when top surface is applied power, and the more difficult inclination of keycap 108.When keycap 108 When advancing in the receiving hole 128 of shell 104, this can allow plane motion substantially.Key is fully supported additionally, also can reduce The amount contacted with keycap 108 needed for cap 108.Such as, the scissor mechanism that plastics are constituted can need to have with keycap 108 more to connect Touch surface area, with the power that offer is identical compared to metal or other more hard materials.The surface area of the supporting construction 210 reduced can be permitted Permitted more light (such as, from illumination plate 120 or the light of other light sources) be transmitted through keycap 108 and not by supporting construction The part stop of 210.

Compared with conventional keypad scissor mechanism, supporting construction 210 also allows for tightened up tolerance.This is because only need tool There is less surface area (allowing less diameter) that the identical power being applied on keycap 108 can be provided.Additionally, mould with typical case Material group component technology is compared, and the manufacturing technology of some metal material can allow less tolerance.

Seeing Fig. 4 B and 5, the first support member 212 can be substantially square or rectangular shape, and can include supporting Component 230 and cross member 216.Cross member 216 can be crossed between the two of the 230 of supporting member edge 231,233.? Support component 230 can have two side members 232,234, and the two side member is interconnected by bottom member 235.? In one embodiment, owing to supporting member transits to bottom member 235 from side member 232,234, and due to side member 232, 234 towards end 231,233 transition, and supporting member 230 can have four fillets 226.Bottom member 235 can be such as by card Snap fit conjunction, binding agent or other bindiny mechanisms are operably connected to the basal surface of keycap 108.In one embodiment, bottom Component 235 can two independences but adjacent position is connected to keycap 108.In this embodiment, keycap 108 can be at two Discrete position obtains and supports, and the discrete position of said two can be positioned on the vicinity at two turnings of keycap 108, with more preferably Ground supports the whole surface of keycap 108.

Two side members 232,234 that can be substantially parallel to each other can limit and extend internally towards opposite side member 232,234 Connecting elements 220.Connecting elements 220 may also include and the first support member 212 is operably connected to the second support member 214 Locking component 228.In one embodiment, connecting elements 220 can be the shoulder extended from the inner surface of side member 232,234 Portion, and locking component 228 can be hook or other fixing components.

Locking component 228 can form the pivotal point of two support members 212,214.Such as, locking component 22 can be the most anti- Only two support members 212,214 relative to each other shifted laterally, but can allow to vertically move.In one embodiment, support member 212,214 can be mutually connected to each other by " X " configuration, wherein two support members are connected by locking component 228 in the midpoint of " X " Together.

With continued reference to Fig. 4 B and 5, in certain embodiments, supporting member 230 can have non-circular cross sections.Such as, prop up Support component 230 can have square, rectangle, " I " shape or "T"-shaped cross section.In these embodiments, the horizontal stroke of supporting member 230 Cross section can improve supporting construction 210 rigidity, the most also can reduce the width supporting the support member 212 needed for keycap 108 region Degree.Such as, supporting member 230 can have preferable crossbeam or " I " shape beam shape, with the feelings in the amount reducing material and width There is provided relative to bending and shearing force under condition and effectively support.By reducing the width of side member 230-233, support can be reduced equally The width of structure 210, thus allow more light from illumination panel 120 (or other sources) to be transmitted through and around keycap 108, because supporting construction can not block all surfaces region of keycap 108.

Contrary with supporting member 230, cross member 216 can have the cross section of circular or annular.Additionally, due to it is horizontal May be connected to anchor member 136 to component 216, therefore it can be operably connected to feature board 118.Such as, such as Fig. 5 institute Showing, anchor member 136 can be to be wound around at least one of " L ", " J " or other hook-shaped components of cross member 216.? In this embodiment, the annular of cross member 216 or circular cross section can allow the first support member 212 to vertically move keycap 108.Example As, cross member 216 allows supporting member 230 to pivot, simultaneously because anchor member 136 and make supporting member 230 substantially lateral It is maintained at identical position.Preferably torsion is provided additionally, the circle of cross member 22 or annular cross section can be supporting mechanism 210 Turn, thus allow it that power being applied on keycap 108 preferably changes into the vertical movement of keycap 108.

Second support member 214 can be nested in the first support member 212, and is operatively coupled on by locking component 228 On it.When lying on illumination panel 120 or sensor film 122, the second support member 214 due to can have generally square or Rectangular configuration and be similar to the first support member 212 the most to a certain extent.Second support member 214 may be included in supporting member Interconnective cross member 222 between the two ends 238,240 of 224.Supporting member 224 can be generally shaped has flat bottom The " u "-shaped in portion, i.e. supporting member 224 can have almost parallel side member, described side member has bottom member.Additionally, Support component 224 can have fillet 236 due to two parallel side member transition to form bottom member.

Supporting member 224 can be operably connected to feature board 118.In certain embodiments, supporting member 224 can wrap Include the coupling part 244 being operably connected to anchor member 136.Coupling part 244 can have the cross-sectional area of circular Territory so that supporting member 224 can transit to rounded cross section from non-circular cross sections at coupling part 244 or end 238,240 Face.But, in certain embodiments, the combination that coupling part 244 can be smooth, circular or smooth and circular (such as, has circle The edge of shape or the flat surfaces at turning).Additionally, coupling part 244 also can have slidingsurface or circular surface, to allow Cross and rotate.Additionally, in certain embodiments, supporting member 224 can be operably connected to the first supporting member 212.Example As, two parallel side members can be operably connected to connecting elements 220, and locking component 228 can be around side member A part extension.By this connection, two support members 212,214 can substantially link together so that moveable support 212, one of them of 214 can make another also move.

In certain embodiments, cross member 222 can be operably connected to the basal surface of keycap 108.Such as, laterally Component 222 can interact with one or more fixed character 242 extended from the basal surface of keycap 108.Cross member 222 can Having the cross section of general toroidal or circle, supporting member 224 can have non-circular cross sections, the most "T"-shaped, " I " shape or square Shape cross section.Circular or annular cross section can allow cross member 222 to rotate in fixed character 242 so that the second support member 214 can pivot relative to feature board 118 and remain fixed to feature board 118 simultaneously.

Turning now to the motion of key 106, when keycap 108 is applied power, supporting mechanism 210 can allow keycap 108 at key Vertically move in hole 128.Fig. 6 A is the perspective view of the key 106 being in rotine positioning or resting position.Fig. 6 B is for being in by bottom The perspective view of the key 106 put.When pressing keycap 108, keycap 108 will vertically travel, and the height of supporting construction 210 can drop Low.

Referring now to Fig. 4 B and 5, when key 106 is in resting position, the base 248 of keycap 108 can be positioned on distance base At the height H1 of the top surface of seat 134.Owing to supporting member 230 is connected to keycap 108 (being positioned at above feature board) and horizontal Being operably connected to feature board 118 to component 222, therefore the first support member 212 can be from the first side of key 106 to key 106 Second is the most angled.Similarly, the second support member 214 can from the first of the second side of key 106 to key 106 on the side Angled.This is because the cross member 222 of the second support member 214 is operably connected to keycap 108, and support structure Part 230 is operably connected to feature board 118.

In certain embodiments, as shown in Figure 4 B, the turning 226,236 of each support member 212,214 can be orientated as neighbour The inside corner edge of nearly keycap 108.Compared with conventional keyboard key, these turnings 226,236 can be away substantially from keycap 108 The heart, thus can preferably stop the inclination of keycap 108.Such as, if user presses the turning of keycap 108, by support member 212, 214 supports provided can stop the corner part of keycap 108 to tilt.Therefore this may allow keycap 108 to have than routine The traveling that keyboard is the most smooth is moved, as described above, and this height that can help to reduce key stepped construction 130.

In the rotine positioning of key 106, two side members 232,234 of the first support member 212 can pass or with other Mode forms " X " of the respective parallel side member with supporting member 224 and intersects.This is because two support members 212,214 all exist Opposite side is connected to keycap 108, and is connected to feature board 118 at the opposite side of key 106, and upwards becomes one from feature board 118 Determine angle to be connected to the bottom of keycap 108 rather than to be connected to feature board 118.

When applying power to keycap 108, support member 212,214 pivots to allow keycap 108 vertical downwardly toward feature board 118 Mobile.But, when support member 212,214 is connected to feature board 118, the lateral shifting of support member 212,214 can be substantially reduced Dynamic.Therefore, when user applies power to keycap 108, keycap 108 can be arranged essentially parallel to feature board 118 and translate, then may result in Support member subsides and keycap declines.When pressing keycap 108, haptic apparatus 116 is compressible to provide feedback and/or to provide key 106 the most selected signals.

Seeing Fig. 4 B and 5, in this embodiment of key 106, the keyhole 128 that can be located below by light source is interior and makes it right A part for quasi-keycap 108.Light source 140 can be used in combination with illumination panel 120 or be used alone.Such as, as shown in Figure 4 B, light Source 140 is operably connected to intermediate layer 141, and this intermediate layer can be that light source 140 provides electric power and/or signal.Light source 140 can be Key 106 provides illumination, carries out more detail discussion below in connection with Figure 14.

The second embodiment of supporting construction 310 will be discussed now.Fig. 7 A is the top of the key 106 including supporting construction 310 Plane graph.Fig. 7 B is the top plan view of key 106, the most for clarity sake, is removed by keycap 108.Fig. 8 is the line along Fig. 7 A The viewgraph of cross-section of the key 106 of Fig. 7 A that 8-8 intercepts.In this embodiment, supporting construction 310 can include the first support member 312 With the second support member 314 being nested in the first support member 312.Support member 312,314 can have substantially the same shape, no With, the second support member 314 can have the diameter less than the first support member 312.

First support member 312 can have substantially rectangular periphery, and includes the turning 326 of circle.In this embodiment, base In basis, whole first support member 312 can have the cross section of circular or annular.First support member 312 can have four side structures Part 340,341,342,343, wherein the first side member 340 is arranged essentially parallel to the 3rd side member 342, the second side member 341 base The 4th side member 343 it is parallel on Ben.4th side member 343 can be operably connected to feature board by anchor member 136 118。

First side member 340 and the second side member 342 can be operably connected to the second support member 314, thus allow First support member moves together with the second support member 312,314.Fig. 7 C is the partial view of the first side member 340.Second side structure Part 342 can be substantially identical with the first side member 340.As seen in figure 7 c, the main body 346 of side member 340,342 can be from round The cross section of shape becomes smooth, to form junction surface 320.Junction surface 320 can have a non-circular cross sections, and can limit and thus limit Fixed knuckle bores 322.

Seeing Fig. 7 B-7C, the second support member 314 can be substantially identical with the first support member 312.Such as, the second support member 314 can have four side members 350,351,352,353, described four side members interconnect formation substantially rectangular or Foursquare periphery.Additionally, the transition position that the second support member 314 is between side member 350,351,352,353 can have substantially Circular turning 336.Similar with the first support member 312, the second support member 314 can include for being connected to connecing of knuckle 338 Conjunction portion 320.Although Fig. 7 C is illustrated that the first support member 312, but the second support member 314 can be the most same.Therefore, connect Conjunction portion 320 also can limit knuckle receiving hole 322 in flat.Additionally, the second support member 314 can have circular Transverse cross-sectional area, except transverse cross-sectional area can become at smooth and more linear junction surface 320.

See Fig. 7 B, two knuckles 328 can be positioned between the first support member 312 and the second support member 314.Turn to Joint 328 can be used for separating two support members 312,314, also can they be linked together simultaneously.Additionally, knuckle 328 fills When pivotal point is to allow support member 312,314 to be moved relative to.Knuckle 328 can be accommodated in each junction surface 320 Knuckle bores 322 in.In the junction of knuckle 328, support member 312,314 can extend away from each other in opposite directions. Such as, similar with locking component 228, knuckle 328 can form the midpoint of " X ", and two of which support member 312,314 is relative to turning To saving 328 shapes at an angle.When support member 312,314 is mobile in response to the power on keycap 108, two support members 312, The angle formed between 314 can reduce, so that keycap 108 declines towards feature board 118.

In the embodiment shown in Fig. 7 B, knuckle 328 can form two pivotal points of supporting mechanism 310.Therefore, support Part 312,314 can substantially anchor in feature board 118, such as, is each operably connected to side structure by anchor member 136 Part 343,351.

In certain embodiments, support member 312,314 can form " open loop ", because supporting member 312,314 can limit often Space between the opposite end of individual support member 312,314.Fig. 9 A is key 106 top plan view including supporting mechanism 310.Fig. 9 B For the top plan view of the key 106 of Fig. 9 A, wherein keycap 108 is removed.4th side member 343 of the first supporting member 312 can Terminate in two relative edges 360,362.Similarly, the 4th side member 353 of the second support member 314 can terminate at two In relative edge 364,366.Two groups of edges 360,362,364,366 can limit each end of side member 343,353 respectively Between space 368.

In the embodiment shown in Fig. 9 A and 9B, support member 312,314 can form open loop, this can need less material with Form supporting mechanism 310.Additionally, open loop configuration can improve assembling and the ease of manufacturing of keyboard 102.Under this open loop configuration, Support member 312,314 can be more easily positioned in anchor member 136, and is connected to the fixed character 142 of keycap 108.Additionally, By limiting space 368, can transmit more to keycap 108 and/or keycap 108 surrounding space from illumination panel 120 or other light sources Many light, to illuminate key 106 and the periphery of key 106.

In another embodiment, supporting construction can include individually connecing what the opposite edges of support member were interconnected Close component.Figure 10 A is the top plan view of the key 106 with supporting construction 410, and wherein engagement member 438 is across at each Between the edge of support member 412,414.Figure 10 B is the top plan view of the key 106 of Figure 10 A, and wherein keycap 108 is removed.Figure 11 The viewgraph of cross-section of key 106 of Figure 10 A for intercepting along the line 11-11 of Figure 10 A.Supporting mechanism 410 can include for by keycap 108 are supported on above pedestal 134 and keycap 108 are connected to the support member 412,414 of pedestal 134.

Support member 412,144 can be substantially identical shape, and wherein the second support member 414 is nested at least in part One support member 412 is interior but spaced apart with the first support member 412.As best shown in fig. 1 ob, support member 412,414 can be base " u "-shaped in basis, except for the difference that support member 412,414 can have essentially flat bottom.Each support member 412,414 can include Two parallel side members 440,442,450,452, and across between two parallel sides components 440,442,450,452 Bottom member 441,451.The side member 440,442 of the first support member 412 can include terminating edge 460,462.Similarly, second The side member 450,452 of support member 414 can include terminating edge 464,466.Additionally, support member 412,414 can have non-circular Cross section (such as, " I " ellbeam, rectangular or square when shape), in order to provide additional for the bending and reversing of supporting member 410 Rigidity.

First engagement member 438 can be across between the terminating edge 460,462 of the first support member 412.Second engages structure Part 439 can be across between the terminating edge 464,466 of the second support member 414.In one embodiment, engagement member 438, 439 cross sections can with circular or annular, therefore can be that each support member 412,414 provides bearing pin junction surface.Additionally, First engagement member 438 can be operably connected to feature board 118 by anchor member 136.Such as, as shown in figure 11, One engagement member 438 can be accommodated in the cavity limited by " hook-type " or the L shape of anchor member 136.Second engages structure Part 439 can be operably connected to the holding feature 143 of keycap 108.Engagement member 338,439 permission supporting member 412, 414 rotate around an axis and stop the motion on other two simultaneously.In other words, when keycap 108 vertical translation, Support member 412,414 can rotate around Y-axis, and support member 412,414 is kept substantially along X-axis and Z axis (lateral and vertical) fixing simultaneously.

Seeing Figure 10 B, support member 412,414 can be operatively coupled together by a pair bearing pin 430,431.First Bearing pin 430 is operably connected the first side member 440,450, and the second bearing pin 431 is operationally by the second side member 442,452 even It is connected together.Bearing pin 403,431 provides bearing pin junction surface, to allow support member 412,414 to link together and relative to each other Rotate.Bearing pin 430,431 can be similar to the knuckle 328 in Fig. 7 B, because they can be through by the side of support member 412,414 The midpoint of the X that component is formed.

As shown in Figure 10 B, the engagement member 438,439 with circular cross section can be positioned on the same side of keycap 108.? In these embodiments, support member 412,414 can be pivotably supported the feature board 118 on keycap 108 and keycap 108 one side. This configuration can allow keycap 108 preferably to vertically move, and is essentially prevented the lateral movement of keycap 108 simultaneously.

Illumination

Referring again to Fig. 3, in certain embodiments, keyboard 102 can include one or more lighting mechanism, to illuminate key 106 or keyboard 100.Such as, lighting mechanism can provide light to illuminate the symbol on keycap 108 and/or can illuminate keycap 108 Periphery.Described illuminating can allow key 106 to have more preferable visuality under dim light condition, can be additionally that keyboard 102 provides beautiful Effect.Additionally, lighting mechanism can provide a user with feedback, luminous pattern etc. can be created on keyboard 102.

The typical keypads with lighting mechanism can make mechanism be positioned at the lower section of feature board.This is because the typical case of feature board Purposes is that the element of key is fixed to shell, and provides electrical connection for key.Typically, can not be the electronic building brick of key or attached Connection mechanism provides lighting mechanism, and therefore lighting mechanism is positioned at the lower section of feature board.But, this set can make from flare-aircraft The light of structure is stopped by feature board at least in part, and light maybe can be made to advance towards keycap 108 in non-immediate mode.

In certain embodiments, keyboard 102 can include being positioned at illumination panel 120 on feature board 118 top.Figure 12 A is The top plan view of key 106, this key has the illumination panel 120 being positioned at above feature board 118.Figure 12 B is the top of key 106 Plane graph, wherein keycap 108 is removed.Figure 12 C is the top plan view of key 106, wherein supporting mechanism 110 be removed in Some element is clearly shown.Figure 13 is the viewgraph of cross-section of the key 106 of Figure 12 A that the line 13-13 along Figure 12 A intercepts.At this In embodiment, illumination panel 120 can be operably connected to the top surface 612 of feature board 118.Feature board 118 and illuminated area Plate 120 can be operably connected to sensor film 122, and it can be positioned on one or two illumination panel 120 and feature board 118 At least some of top.As it has been described above, see Fig. 3, sensor film 122 can pass through binding agent 124 and/or securing member 126 It is operably connected to shell 104.

Figure 14 is the feature board 118 and the perspective view of illumination panel 120 removed from keyboard 102.As shown in figure 14, feature Plate 118 and illumination panel 120 are shown as to be had for supporting three keys 106 and the length of corresponding key stepped construction 130.Cause This, can change feature board 118 and the length of illumination panel 120, for less or more key 106.In certain embodiments, Can exist for every line unit 106, each key 106 or for the single feature board 118 of whole keyboard 102 and/or illumination panel 120。

Seeing Figure 13 and 14, feature board 118 can have base component 604, and this base component has at an angle from base Seat component 604 upwardly extends two angled extensions 606.Two extensions 606 are arranged essentially parallel to base through transition to be formed The leg 608 of seat component 604 extension or shoulder.Base component 604 can cave in from leg 608 at least in part, and can limit logical Road 614, described passage is configured to accommodate at least some of of illumination panel 120.

Each leg 608 can include one or more fixing hole 602, and described fixing hole is for being fixed to feature board 118 Other parts of shell 104 and/or key stepped construction 130.In one embodiment, each leg 208 can exist each other Four fixing holes 602 separated.

Anchor member 136 can upwardly extend from the top surface of passage 614.As it has been described above, anchor member 136 can be hook-type structure Part, described hook members can have can allow the support member 112,114 of supporting mechanism 110 be fixed to feature board 118 " L " shape, " J " shape or other shapes.Position according to support member 112,114 and direction, anchor member 118 can have in feature board 118 Different directions and position.But, in certain embodiments, can exist for two grappling structures of each support member 112,114 Part 136；Therefore, can exist for four anchor member 136 of each key 106.

Illumination panel 120 such as can be operably connected to feature board 118 by binding agent, securing member etc..As at figure Best shown in 14, anchor member 136 extends through illumination panel 120.Therefore, anchor member 136 can also assist in illuminated area Plate 120 is operably connected to feature board 118.Similarly, in certain embodiments, anchor member 136 can be illumination panel 120 And the uniquely coupled mechanism between feature board 118.

Illumination panel 120 can be for guide-lighting and/or luminous equipment.In certain embodiments, illumination panel 120 can be Photoconduction, light guide etc..In these embodiments, one or more light sources 140 can be optically connected to illumination panel 120, so that light Line is transmitted by illumination panel 120.For example, with reference to Figure 14, two light sources 140 are positioned at the opposite end of illumination panel 120.Can be Light is transmitted into illumination panel 120 by the light source 140 of light emitting diode.Described light then can be by illumination panel 120 spy Levy and transmit in the whole length of plate 118.Described light can be configured to launch in substantially any direction；But, real at some Executing in example, described light can be launched from the top surface of illumination panel 120.

In other embodiments, illumination panel 120 can be light source, such as Organic Light Emitting Diode, light emitting diode etc..? In these embodiments, light source 140 can omit, and can be maybe that key 106 provides extra light.

Illumination panel 120 may also comprise integrated one or more sensor (not shown) in the inner, and described sensor is used Input in sensing key 106.Such as, illumination panel 120 can include capacitance sensor, switching mechanism etc..Below in connection with figure 19-21 carries out more detail discussion to these sensors.

Seeing Figure 13, illumination panel 120 can be positioned in the passage 614 of feature board 118.In certain embodiments, shining Can Existential Space 610 between the edge of bright panel 120 and the drift angle of leg 608 and extension 606 component.In other embodiments In, the edge of illumination panel 120 can the most substantially move up with the shape of extended element 606, and space 610 Can be omitted.In passage 614, illumination panel 120 can be arranged essentially parallel to pedestal 604 coextensive.

The support member 112,114 of supporting mechanism 110 can be operably connected to anchor member 136, and in some positions In putting, support member 112,114 can be adjacent or against in a part for illumination panel 120.Haptic apparatus 116 can be positioned on illumination Above panel 120, and in some embodiments it is possible to it is operably connected to can be positioned on the biography above illumination panel 120 Sensor film 122.

In keyboard 102 embodiment shown in Figure 12 A-14, compared with the conventional keypad including lighting mechanism, key can be reduced Total vertical height of stepped construction 130.This is because, generally, function or anchor sheet positioning are above lighting mechanism, in order to best Key is fixed to shell by ground, and provides the accurate communication of the input signal from key for processor or other assemblies.But, when When anchor member 136 extends through illumination plate 120, it may be necessary to each assembly of the key 106 being fixed to feature board 118 can be fixed Thereon, still allow for the most of light from illumination panel 120 to be drawn by the periphery towards keycap 108 and/or keycap 108 simultaneously Lead.Therefore, feature board 118 can be directly attached to below illumination panel 120, and without the additional of keyboard 102 thickness can be increased Securing member or articulamentum.

Additionally, when above illumination panel 120 is positioned at feature board 118, illumination panel 120 and/or light source 140 can be increased Efficiency.As above sketched, generally, feature board can stop that significant fraction guides from the light of illumination panel and/or can Make illumination panel must launch light (such as, feature board to be avoided) in the way of non-perpendicular or non-immediate.Such as, at some keys In dish, feature board can include that single hole is to allow to guide the light from lighting mechanism towards keycap.When illumination panel 120 is positioned at Above feature board 118, and substantially below keycap 108 and time parallel with it, situation is contrary.Therefore, illumination panel 120 can Send substantially direct projection and be perpendicular to the light on illumination panel 120 surface.This allows illumination panel 120 transmitting ratio conventional keypad more Few light, still forms identical illuminating effect, such as brightness and color simultaneously.This is due to the fact that can pass through more The light that light source is launched, and be not blocked, reflect or reflect.

In operation, for some embodiments, light can be transmitted on illumination panel 120 by light source 140.Illumination panel 120 can be in whole feature board 118 and vertically upward towards keycap 108 transmission ray.When from illumination panel 120 transmission ray Time, light can leave around keycap 108 (such as, the space through shell 104 and keycap 108), or light can transmit and wear Cross keycap 108.

As outlined above, can be configured with can be along the length of multiple keys for feature board 118 and/or illumination panel 120 The length that degree extends.In certain embodiments, the length of feature board 118 and/or illumination panel 120 can be configured to cover whole The length of key 106 row.In these embodiments, can exist for illumination panel 120 and/or the feature board 118 of every line unit, it can Row location along keyboard 102.In certain embodiments, illumination panel 120 can have different size and/or not in keyboard 102 Co-located, hereafter will be discussed in more detail.

Figure 15 A is the viewgraph of cross-section of key 102, the figure shows illumination panel 120 and is positioned in feature board 118 He In the row of each key 106 row.It should be noted that in Figure 15 A, for being shown more clearly that the relation between other functions, Selection function is hidden.As shown in fig. 15, anchor member 136 can upwardly extend from pedestal 604, and can form illumination panel 120 Barrier rib.In this approach, anchor member 136 light from illumination panel 120 can be reflected back illumination panel or towards Keycap 108 reflects.This can assemble the light from illumination panel 120 108 times at keycap, in order to can preferably irradiate keycap 108 And light can be stoped around the side-emission of keycap 108.

As shown in fig. 15, the space between illumination panel 120 and the angle formed by extension 606 and leg 608 can be increased 210, because illumination panel 120 can be substantially limited in anchor member 136.In these embodiments, illumination panel 120 can have There is the width less than other embodiments.Such as, illumination panel 120 across between anchor member 136, and can be able to be limited In anchor member 136.In these embodiments, anchor member 136 may extend into around the sidepiece of illumination panel 120, and not It is through illumination panel 120.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 15 A, the leg 608 of feature board 118 can be operably connected by binding agent 124 To sensor film 122.Film 122 also can be operably connected to shell 104 by binding agent 124.

In other embodiments, the support member 112,114 of supporting mechanism 110 can be positioned on the position of proximity illumination panel 120 Put.Figure 15 B is the viewgraph of cross-section of key 106, it illustrates and extends through propping up of sensor film 122 also contact illumination panel 120 Support member 112,114.In these embodiments, illumination panel 120 can include the sensing when pressing keycap 108 for detecting user Device.This can reduce the vertical height of key stepped construction 130, provides identical hanging down because support member 112,114 can be still keycap 108 Straight extension, and position relatively low in can be positioned on key stepped construction 130, thus reduce the overall of key stepped construction 130 and hang down Straight height.

Additionally, as shown in fig. 15b, in some cases, one or more binding agents 124 layers can be replaced by securing member 126. In these embodiments, securing member 126 may be connected to feature board 118 and sensor film 122, but can not be operably connected to shine Bright panel 120.When illumination panel 120 can be embarked on journey location and when can be defined by anchor member 136, the height of securing member 126 can be with The vertical height of illumination panel 120 is shared.In other words, because securing member 126 can extend through the thickness of illumination panel 120 Degree, i.e. the vertical height (when being coupled to key stepped construction 130) of securing member 126.Therefore, compared to conventional keypad, key stacking Structure 130 can have the vertical height of reduction, and wherein securing member may have to pass through lighting mechanism and feature board, with by each group Part is fixed together.

In certain embodiments, securing member 126 can be positioned on two opposite sides of key 106.Such as, securing member 126 can Extend through the sidepiece of the shell 104 defining key 106.Securing member 126 can be substantially any type of fastening member, such as but It is not limited to rivet, nail, screw etc..But, in certain embodiments, securing member 126 can be threadless or self-locking fastener, Such as rivet.In these embodiments, securing member 126 can be press-fitted in key stepped construction 130, or by the extruding force of parallel action Insert.So can allow more faster installation time than conventional keypad, conventional keypad can need the screw threads for fastening that must be screwed into place Part.Additionally, in the case of threadless, securing member 126 prepares to get final product insert key stepped construction 130 without special hole, such as fall Angle and deburring.After once inserting, securing member 126 can substantially flush with feature board 118 base, in order to reduces further with often The vertical height of the key stepped construction 130 that rule keyboard is compared.

As outlined above, in certain embodiments, illumination panel 120 may extend past key row or each key.Such as, In some cases, illumination panel 120 can extend along the whole region of keyboard 102.In these embodiments, illumination panel 120 Can extend between key and key row.Figure 15 C is the viewgraph of cross-section of keyboard, it illustrates the photograph extended between the row of key 106 Bright panel 129.Additionally, as shown in figure 15 c, in these embodiments, feature board 118 also can extend between being expert at.Such as, feature The pedestal 604 of plate 118 can be substantially smooth along the behavior of many groups, and leg 606 can be omitted or only from feature board 118 ( The edge of keyboard 102) termination end (not shown) extend.

Seeing Figure 15 C, in these embodiments, illumination panel 120 can be positioned on the top of feature board 118.Such as, low viscous 124 layers of mixture can be operably connected feature board 118 top surface 605 above illumination panel 120.But, as schemed As seeing in 15C, anchor member 136 still can extend across illumination panel 120, in order to by supporting mechanism 110 (not shown) It is connected to feature board 119.In these embodiments, light source 140 can be positioned between feature board 118 and illumination panel 120, and can Illuminate illumination panel 120 from below.But, in other embodiments, light source 140 can be positioned on the sidepiece of illumination panel 120 , or illumination panel 120 itself can include light source (as shown in figure 14).

As outlined above, in certain embodiments, illumination panel 120 can be configured to be positioned at each key 106 Lower section.Figure 16 A is the perspective view of the key 706 removed from keyboard 102.Figure 16 B is the top plan view of key 706.Figure 16 C is key The top plan view of 706, wherein keycap 108 is removed.Figure 17 is the cross section of the key 706 that the line 17-17 along Figure 16 B intercepts View.Key 706 can be substantially similar with key 106.But, in this embodiment, feature board 118 can be omitted.As shown in figure 17, It can be the gripper shoe 718 of printed circuit board (PCB) etc. the element that can be used for supporting key 706.Additionally, can carry around illumination panel 720 For framework 422, it can help preferably to comprise and guide the light of breaking forth from illumination panel 720.

In this embodiment, key 706 can include gripper shoe 718, illumination panel 720, light source 140 and framework 722.Gripper shoe 718 bottoms that can form key 706, and also can be by the input signal (letter of the instruction user's input such as, sent from sensor Number) it is sent to the assembly of calculating equipment 100.Gripper shoe 718 can be that printed circuit board (PCB) or other substrates are to support electrical connections. In these embodiments, sensor and/or lighting mechanism can be integrated with gripper shoe 718 to reduce key stepped construction 130 further Vertical height.

Illumination panel 720 can be substantially identical with illumination panel 120.But, in these embodiments, illumination panel 720 The area substantially the same with keycap 108 can be configured with.Therefore, illumination panel 720 can be the most only towards keycap 108 guide light so that less light is around the edge-emission of keycap 108 or is emitted through the hole etc. in shell 104.

Framework 722 can around illumination panel 720, and can help to prevent light be irradiated to through or towards except keycap 108 Other outer directions.Figure 18 is the top plan view of the framework 722 being positioned at around illumination panel 720.As seen in figure 18 As arriving, framework 722 generally about the neighboring of illumination panel 720, and can include that other holding feature 724 will be shining Bright panel 720 is secured in place.In certain embodiments, framework 722 can be to be configured to be essentially prevented from light transmission The material passed through.Therefore, framework 722 can prevent light to be transferred to around framework 722, and described light can leave framework 722 are reflected towards keycap 108 or illumination panel 120.

In one embodiment, light source 140 can be positioned in framework 722 along illumination panel 720 a edge.Therefore, Each key 706 can include its own illumination panel 720 and light source 140.In the case of being combined with framework 722, illumination panel 720 and light source 140 can the most only irradiate keycap 108.This can prevent leakage of light from arriving around keycap 108, i.e. " halation " imitates Really.Therefore, can be easier to read any symbol on keycap 108, because light will not escape into the perimeter of keycap 108, This can interfere with light and is emitted through keycap 108.

Sensing member

In certain embodiments, keyboard 102 can include one or more sensor, to sense particular key 106 or some key User input.Figure 19 is the simplification viewgraph of cross-section of key 106.Key 106 can include keycap 108, supporting mechanism 110 and feature Plate 118.Additionally, key 106 can include sensing member 820, this sensing member can be integrated in illumination panel 120, or can be from its point From.Sensing member 820 can be the capacitance sensor that can detect capacitance variations.Such as, sensing member 820 can be tin indium oxide (ITO) or the Indium sesquioxide. of doped tin, it can be positioned on the top (that is, illumination panel 120) of photoconduction, light guide or other light sources. In one embodiment, sensing member 820 can be the ITO being laminated on the film of Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED).Real at these Executing in example, sensing member 820 can detect any item in following all items: force on the position of keycap 108, keycap 108, User's finger position and/or other parameters on keycap 108 can be detected by corresponding sensor 822 by sensing member 820.

Sensing member 820 can be positioned in multiple diverse locations of key stepped construction 130, is specifically dependent upon institute to be sensed Need input.Such as, sensing member 820 can be positioned on the lower section (as shown in figure 19) of keycap 108 and presses keycap 108 to detect user Time.In other embodiments, sensing member 820 can be positioned in haptic apparatus 116, and this can allow sensing member 820 to examine Survey the compression of haptic apparatus 116.The most in other embodiments, sensing member 820 can be positioned on the inner surface of shell 104, Or be positioned in other parts of the key stepped construction 130 being facing inwardly toward key 106.

Similarly, according to sensing member 820 position, key 106 can include shield member, preferably will input and sensing structure Part 820 is isolated.Such as, in some cases, sensing member 820 can detect the minor variations of electric capacity.Because keyboard 102 can include Being located proximate to multiple keys 106 together, wherein key 106 is extremely pressed close to, in addition to the minor variations of electric capacity, and sensing member 820 to be difficult to differentiate between user be to be placed on by his or her finger 801 on a key or next key.Therefore, in some embodiments In, shielding or insulant can be by sensing member 820 and external noises or the isolation of other signals.In one embodiment, sensing Component 820 can be positioned on the interior section between anchor member 136 towards key 106, this can play by sensing member 820 and some Noise intercepts the effect opened.Alternatively or additionally, sensing member 820 can be positioned in haptic apparatus 116, It can include another screen layer placed within it, to be at least partially isolated sensing member 820.

With continued reference to Figure 19, sensing member 820 can be integrated together with illumination panel 120, and can therefore provide sensing Both input and illumination output.In these embodiments, the vertical height of key stepped construction 130 can substantially be reduced.This be because of Can be omitted for sensor film 122, and sensing member 820 can be positioned directly in the lower section of supporting mechanism 110.But, at it In his embodiment, sensing member 820 can be positioned on other positions.

Figure 20 A is the top plan view of key, and described key includes surely being positioned at the sensing around sensor film 122 as framework Component 820.Figure 20 B is the top plan view of the key 106 of Figure 20 A, and wherein keycap is removed.Figure 21 is the line 21-along Figure 20 A The viewgraph of cross-section of 21 keys 106 intercepted.Sensing member 820 can be positioned on the top surface of sensing film 122.In some embodiments In, sensing member 820 can interact with the various features (such as can comprise the parts of metal etc.) of key 106, to detect electric capacity Change etc..In other embodiments, corresponding sensor 822 can be positioned on base 824 and/or the basal surface 826 of keyboard 108 On.Therefore, when pressing downwards keycap 108, sensor 822 can move closer to sensing member 820, thus causes for sensing The capacitance variations of component 820.Described capacitance variations allows sensing member 820 detection input.In this embodiment, such as Figure 20 B institute Showing, sensing member 820 can be to be positioned at the framework (or other assemblies of pedestal 134) above sensor film 122, in order to keycap Base 824 substantial registration of 108.

In these embodiments, sensor 822 can be sensing material layer, and described sensing material layer can be with sensing member 822 Mutual to change signal.Such as, sensor 820 can have based on distance with the combination of sensing member 822 and/or there are other The one group of electric capacity changed during capacity cell.

In other embodiments, sensor 822 can be positioned on the inside of haptic apparatus 116 and highlights on 828, and senses structure Part 820 can be positioned in the cavity limited by haptic apparatus 116.When compressing keycap 108, haptic apparatus 116 can be by correspondingly Compression, so that sensor 822 is closer to sensing member 820.In this embodiment, one or more shield members or layer can be determined Position on the outside or inside surface of haptic apparatus 116, this can at least in part by sensing member 820 and external signal and/or Noise isolation.

The most in other embodiments, sensor 822 can be operably connected to or be integrated into supporting mechanism 110.Example As, if sensor mechanism 110 for metal or comprises metal material, then sensing member 820 can detect support member 112,114 Height change.Similarly, keycap 108 alternatively metal or comprise metal material, and sensing member 820 can detect position and become The finger etc. change, being positioned on keycap 108.Additionally, haptic apparatus 116 can comprise metal or metal material, and sense mechanism 820 can be arranged to communicate with haptic apparatus 116, to detect the change in location of haptic apparatus 116.

In the embodiment of sensor 822 and the sense capacitance change of sensing mechanism 820, the key of number of different types can be sensed The input of 106.In one example, keyboard 102 can determine that user whether with the inswept key of his or her hands 106, it can be used as meter The input gesture of calculation equipment 100.Similarly, key 106 can sense when his or her finger 801 is placed on keycap 108 by user Top, thus finger position can be detected, although user may not apply power to press keycap 108.Additionally, sensing mechanism 820 can Can determine that key 108 lower is pressed speed, is applied to the size etc. of the power of keycap 108.These different parameters can be carried by keyboard 102 For different output.Such as, user can apply different gestures to keyboard 102, is similar to be applied to the hands of capacitive touch screen Gesture, is applied to the power of key 106 by change, and symbol can be modified and (such as, may correspond to small letter less than a certain degree of power Mother, exceedes a certain degree of power and may correspond to capitalization), etc..

Additionally, in the embodiment utilizing sensing member 820, haptic apparatus and/or supporting member 110 can be omitted.Example As, can be without mechanically moving keycap 108, in order to detection user's input.On the contrary, sensing member 820 can detect the table of keycap 108 User's input etc. on face.Therefore, for accommodate key 106 and allow the keyhole 128 that vertically moves of keycap 108 can covered, Reduce and/or omit.The shortage of mechanical fastener can allow to key in faster that (user can apply downward pressure to select Key), and keyboard 102 can have more preferable resistant to liquids.Typical keyboard can be affected by liquid, because keyhole 128 can That be exposed to sensor film 122, illumination panel 120 and other electronic building bricks to spill or be otherwise present in keyboard Under liquid on 102.

Bonding

In certain embodiments, pedestal 134 can be operably connected to shell 104.As outlined above, at some In embodiment, each element of pedestal 134 can be attached to shell 104 by securing member or bonding way.Figure 22 is the letter of key 106 Changing viewgraph of cross-section, it illustrates that feature board 118 is operationally connected to shell 104 by adhesive phase 124.As it has been described above, feature Plate 118 can be operably connected to illumination panel 120 and/or sensor film 122.Therefore, by by operable for feature board 118 Be connected to shell 104, other layers also are able to be operably connected to shell 104.Alternatively or additionally, Also by adhesive phase 124, other layer is attached to shell 104.

Binding agent 124 can reduce the vertical height of key stepped construction 130, because compared with the vertical height of securing member, viscous Mixture 124 can have thinner vertical thickness.This is because the bonding of binding agent 124 can constitute the whole table of vertical height Laterally launch (such as, feature board 118) on face, but can launch thinly, in order to will not substantially increase key stepped construction 130 Thickness.Additionally, compared with the typical keypads that may need securing member, assembling and manufacture keyboard 102 can be the easiest.Such as, key Each assembly of stepped construction 130 and layer can pressing or be placed on top of each other, and binding agent 124 can be fixed in one Rise.It addition, compared with typical fasteners, binding agent 124 can be easier to be applicable to little assembly and/or have complex geometric shapes Assembly.

Foregoing description has a wide range of applications.Such as, although example disclosed herein may focus on keyboard On, it will be appreciated that concepts disclosed herein can be applied equally to other input equipments.Similarly, although can associative key Each embodiment is discussed by dish, but any independent characteristic of keyboard all can be used alone or is integrated together use.Cause This, the discussion to any embodiment is intended merely as example, is not intended to propose the model of the disclosure (including claims) Enclose and be limited in these examples.

Cross-Reference to Related Applications

This patent cooperation treaty patent application requires in the entitled " Keyboard of December in 2011 submission on the 21st Mechanisms for Electronic Devices " U.S. Non-provisional Patent application No.61/578, the priority of 687, This patent application is incorporated by reference in its entirety herein.

Claims

1. include that an input equipment for key, described input equipment include:

Keycap, described keycap is associated with described key；

Feature board；

Supporting mechanism, described supporting mechanism is operably connected to described keycap and described feature board and being configured to be made described Keycap moves to the second position relative to described feature board from primary importance；And

Capacitance sensing component, described capacitance sensing component is configured to detect the nonbinary size of the power being applied to described keycap And at least one in following:

The change in location of described keycap；

The speed of described keycap；Or

Finger position on described keycap or near described keycap；

Wherein:

At least one in following is that change based on the electric capacity between described capacitance sensing component and sensor detects: institute State the change in location of keycap, the speed of described keycap, described in be applied to the nonbinary size of power of described keycap or described The position of finger；

Described electric capacity changes based on the distance between the most described capacitance sensing component and described sensor；And

In response to described capacitance sensing component detect described in be applied to the nonbinary size of power of described keycap, described input Device transmission indicates the signal of at least one in the pressing and be following of described keycap: the size of described power, described keycap Change in location, the speed of described keycap or the position of described finger.

Input equipment the most according to claim 1, wherein said sensor include following at least one:

Metal；Or

Sensing material layer.

Input equipment the most according to claim 1, wherein said sensor is positioned below described keycap or is attached to In described keycap.

Input equipment the most according to claim 1, wherein:

Described input equipment farther includes haptic apparatus, and described haptic apparatus is operatively coupled to described keycap；

Described sensor be following at least one:

It is positioned on the protuberance of described haptic apparatus；Or

It is attached in described haptic apparatus；

Described capacitance sensing component is positioned in the cavity that described haptic apparatus limits；

The compression of described haptic apparatus changes the distance between described sensor and described capacitance sensing component；And

Described capacitance sensing component by detect described haptic apparatus compression detect following at least one: described keycap Change in location, the speed of described keycap, described in be applied to the nonbinary size of power or the position of described finger of described keycap Put.

Input equipment the most according to claim 4, the compression of wherein said haptic apparatus makes described sensor to described electricity Hold sensing member close.

Input equipment the most according to claim 1, wherein:

Described sensor or be operatively coupled to described supporting mechanism or be attached in described supporting mechanism；And

The height change that described capacitance sensing component is included in the support member in described supporting mechanism by detection detects following In at least one: the change in location of described keycap, the speed of described keycap, described in be applied to non-two the entering of power of described keycap Size processed or the position of described finger.

Input equipment the most according to claim 1, described between wherein said sensor and described capacitance sensing component Electric capacity is additionally based upon the existence of additional capacitive element and changes.

Input equipment the most according to claim 1, also includes the shielding being at least partially isolated described capacitance sensing component Component.

Input equipment the most according to claim 8, wherein said shield member includes insulant.

Input equipment the most according to claim 8, wherein said shield member includes being operatively coupled to described keycap The screen layer of haptic apparatus.

11. input equipments according to claim 1, wherein said capacitance sensing component include following at least one: Tin indium oxide, the Indium sesquioxide. of doped tin or be laminated in the tin indium oxide on Organic Light Emitting Diode film.

12. input equipments according to claim 1, wherein said capacitance sensing component is configured to without mobile described Described finger position on described keycap is detected in the case of keycap.

13. input equipments according to claim 1, wherein said capacitance sensing component be following at least one:

It is positioned below described keycap；

It is positioned to can be operably coupled in the haptic apparatus of described keycap；Or

It is positioned above described feature board.

14. input equipments according to claim 1, wherein said capacitance sensing component is integrated in illumination panel, institute State illumination panel and be operably connected to described supporting mechanism at least some of optical communication with described keycap.

15. input equipments according to claim 1, wherein said capacitance sensing component be following at least one:

It is positioned around sensor film as framework；Or

It is positioned on the top surface of described sensor film.

16. 1 kinds of keyboards with key, including:

Keycap, described keycap is associated with described key；

Substrate, described substrate is operably connected to described keycap；And

Sensing member, described sensing member has the first electrode of the periphery location of the basal surface along described keycap and in institute Stating the second electrode that the first base part positions along described substrate, described sensing member is configured to detect and is applied to described key The nonbinary size of the power of cap and following at least one: the vertical change of the position of described keycap, described keycap Speed or finger position on described keycap or near described keycap.

17. keyboards according to claim 16, also include the haptic apparatus being operatively coupled to described keycap.

18. keyboards according to claim 17, wherein:

Described haptic apparatus is configured to the nonbinary size in response to the described power being applied to described keycap and compresses；And

Described first electrode is moved by the compression of described haptic apparatus towards described second electrode.

19. keyboards according to claim 16, also include the shield member being at least partially isolated described first electrode.

20. input equipments according to claim 19, wherein said shield member includes insulant.